Typography tutorials

original article: http://www.creativebloq.com/graphic-design-tips/typography-tutorials-1232719

The basics

He acknowledges that it’s a bold claim, but Matthew Butterick reckons that if you take ten minutes to learn and follow five simple typography rules then you’ll be a better typographer than 95 per cent of professional writers and 70 per cent of professional designers.

And if you carry on with the rest of his Butterick’s Practical Typography (with an introduction by Erik Spiekermann) you’ll be better than 99 per cent of both of them. Probably worth a look, then!

In this typography tutorial, Cameron Chapman tells you that yes, designing headers and titles may be more artistic but the set body text is just as important. Here, she explains why with this step-by-step guide.

Combining typefaces can be dangerous business, especially if you mix two that certainly don’t belong together. Avoid any upset with this typography tutorial that shows you the importance of contrast and mood.

Now you’ve got the basics down and you’ve dabbled in paragraphs and combining typefaces, take a look at how to pull it all together. In this typography tutorial, Cameron Charlie rounds it all up and shows you how to finish in style.

In this typography tutorial, C Knight and J Glaser look at how frequently type needs to be broken down into different levels, such as topic, importance and tone of voice, and explore how this can be achieved visually.

Usually present in wood engraving and sing lettering, line gradients are often shunned when it comes to a more basic design. Throw caution to the wind with this typography tutorial, showcasing how you can get that vintage feel with line gradients.

Jon Black offers an insight into the murky world of OpenType. In this typography tutorial, he’ll de-code all you’ve ever needed to know about this cross-platform type format. Don’t worry, you’ll be an expert by the end of it.

Web typography has come a long way in the past couple of years and you may be feeling a little lost. Graphic designer, writer and publisher John Boardley sets the record straight with this easy to follow guide.

If you’re using Google Web Fonts on your websites, then there’s a very good chance that 1 in 5 visitors are seeing faux bold and italic versions of your fonts – even if you correctly selected and used all of the weights and styles. Laura Franz explains how to solve this issue.

Nathan Ford focuses mostly on a few simple macrotypographic techniques, with a dash of micro, and explains how to combine them all to build a more harmonious, adaptable and, most importantly, readable web page.

This tutorial shows you how to create a text effect using the Blend Tool in Illustrator and then se Photoshop for some final retouches to make the effect more subtle. The technique is very simple and it shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes to achieve the same effect.

Typographic elements are ideal to create in vector form as you can scale and copy them as you like and change the colors to suit your designs. In this tutorial you will learn how to use various shapes and gradient effects to create an airport timetable text effect that’s perfect for websites, poster designs or even logos.

You’ll start in Illustrator in this tutorial to modifying the original font, then switch to Photoshop in order to play with textures and layer styles. You’ll also deal with selection tools and simple methods to create 3d illusion always in Photoshop.

In this Illustrator tutorial, you’ll learn how to create a bending 3D text effect that will make any design stand out. In addition to using the 3D tools, you’ll layer letter shapes to create color shifts with gradients and highlights. You’ll also work in subtle patterns controlled with Opacity Masks.

Alex Gill shows you how to combine Illustrator’s 3D capabilities with Photoshop work. This tutorial also covers the best way to manage your layers and how to add subtle lighting techniques to your type.

Add some colour to your typography

Typography tutorials: Create a design from multiple reference images, a simple sketch, and your own ingenuity

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to mix vector elements and watercolour effects with text to create a stunning design. It’s a quick process that depends heavily on good choices of images and colours.

This is aimed at typography beginners and shows you how to create a legitimate spray paint effect that could come in handy for wallpapers. The techniques used are simple, so you’ll have no problems here!

Sometimes it’s the little touch ups that bring out the very best in your creative work. In this tutorial, you will learn to create a contrasting colour reflection which is not only elegant, but simply demanding.

Learn typography through games

Learn typography through gaming! The aim of this awesome game from To The Point is to shoot only the serif fonts in the available time. Complete all the stages at ‘Director Level’ to beat the game. Good luck!

Do you know your Arial from your Helvetica? Test your type knowledge with this challenging game sponsored byMyFonts.com, that’ll probably show you that you don’t know half as much typography as you thought you did.

3D text effects

Colorful gradients, lens flares, and textures are essential elements to any 1980′s inspired artwork. In this tutorial you’ll learn how to use Photoshop’s 3D tools to create a 1980s inspired text effect.

This tutorial will explain how to use the Opacity texture map to create a ribbon-wrapped 3D text effect in Photoshop CS5 environment. Then, it will explain how to create the confetti brush and its layer styles.

Mark Mayers indulges his sweet tooth, in this cute typography tutorial. Here, he’ll show you how to use Photoshop CS6 Extended’s new 3D tools to create your desired effect. You’ll be using lots of free stock imagery and other Photoshop features.

Typography tutorials: An eye-catching cityscape with 3D and typographical elements

Alex Varanese builds a deconstructed urban environment composed of 3D and typography. Like many of the typography tutorials here, the results can be stunning. Armed with this knowledge, what will you be able to create?

Great-looking 3D typography often involves the use of several applications. In this tutorial, find out how to create a vintage lightbulb sign using Adobe Illustrator to create and export the basic paths, Cinema 4D to create the 3D render, and Photoshop for post-production.

The overriding theme of the typography tutorials here is one of experimentation. Who says type has to be plain to be bold? Tom Lane demonstrates how to draw on pattern work to add intricate detail to your type designs.

Embrace the frilly side of life with this tutorial from Abduzeedo. Gaining inspiration from a design by Ginger Monkey Design, they’ll show you how to achieve a similar style, by mixing various vectors.

Starting from the all-important concept sketches, Computer Arts guides you through the process of fine-tuning ideas into fully defined letterforms. Then, use Illustrator to transform your glyphs from geometric shapes into a final headline type.

You may think that the blend tool is only reserved for very special occasions. The reality is, is that it can be used on a regular basis to create striking typography. Find out how with this typography tutorial.

Typographers and fans of creative fonts will be familiar with the work of self-taught, master pinstriper Glen Weisgerber. Painting letters for race cars, logos, guitars, trucks and motorbikes, Weisgerber has been at the top of his game since the 1970s and in this video tutorial he showcases his talents in a brilliant demonstration of roundhand lettering.

Creative director and motion graphic artist Angie Taylor shows how to use Photoshop and Adobe After Effects for kinetic typography – combining text and motion to express ideas in the form of animation.

Ryan Putman is a professional vector illustrator and all-round know-how of Adobe Illustrator. In this typography tutorial, he shows you how to get that Cowboy feelin’ with this rough and ready Western type treatment.

After trawling the larger tutorial sites, independent Romanian graphic artist Alex Roman noticed a gap when it came to an effect such as this. He took it upon himself to create this awesome equalizer effect using Photoshop.

We’ve all seen the awesome opening to one of our favourite sci-fi movies, The Matrix and the fantastic font that goes with it. Ever wanted to have a go at making it yourself? You’ve come to the right place.

Sharon Milne has previously created the Meow Calligram and now she’s back – instead, channeling her creative energy from her dog Poppy. In this typography tutorial, she’ll show you how to manipulate a typeface through to rendering fur and adding those essential doggy features.

If you love to indulge in 3D, take a look at this typography tutorial from Tranfuchsian – a blog for designers, offering plenty of free vector resources and articles. Here, they’ll show you how to light up your 3D typeface.

This sweet typography tutorial shows you how to create a candy-caned typeface that’ll make any design platform the cutest it can be. Along the way, you’ll learn how to create advanced vector pattern brushes and use adjustment layers.

Here, you’ll create a 3D Typography based design. All the elements will revolve around the centerpiece and theme: dreaming. The word will dictate the entire layout, with trees growing out of the letters, mountains and a glowing moon.

Using Photoshop, you’re going to create retro-looking text that seems like it’s constructed using folded strips of paper. Prepare yourself to heavily rely on Photoshop’s Lasso Tool, as well as some other basic tools and simple techniques.

This is an updated version of an article previously published on Creative Bloq.

tags

About this blog

This is the blog for the A Level Media Studies course offered by Cambridge International Examinations at Transylvania College. More info on the course here: Media Studies CIE

This blog is managed by the teacher who posts relevant research topics and resources for students. You are free to take anything you want and use the ideas shared here.

Please visit also the students’ blogs, to see what kind of work they have to do for Media Studies at A Level.

Transylvania College is the ony Cambridge accredited school in Romania offering a complete educational track, from nursery through high school. Our school has been chosen by families from around the world, we have students from 26 countries.